ABA Delivers to Sunferries

Monday, April 05, 2010

Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA) has delivered its latest high speed ferry, a 98.4 ft catamaran designed by Sydney-based One2three Naval Architects. Sunferries of Townsville, Queensland, accepted delivery of the Fantome Cat from the Brisbane builder on 26 March. Fantome Cat is a near sistership to Palm Cat, and takes the total number of ABA-built vessels in its fleet to two and the number of One2three designed vessels in the Sunferries fleet to four.

Delivered a full two months ahead of schedule due to operator requirements, the Fantome Cat is a real example of understanding the needs of the customer explained Roy Whitewood, director and founder of ABA.

The new catamaran is well appointed, being built with improvements adopted through the operational experience gained with Palm Cat. With a strong focus on passenger comfort the cabin areas have been enhanced with carpet being fitted throughout while the ride control system is in the form of active interceptors from Scandinavian company Humphree AB.

This is in fact the first vessel in Australasia to be fitted with a Humphree interceptor system. Systems are all electric with 12/24V DC power and very simple to install as Humphree supply all components including connecting cables with termination plugs fitted. Virtually Plug and Play technology.

The system consists of four interceptor assemblies mounted on the (two per transom) transoms to automatically control and reduce the motions of the vessel for optimum passenger and crew comfort in rough seas. The system also automatically maintains the optimum dynamic trim of the vessel thereby reducing the vessels resistance when operating. This results in a reduction in the fuel consumption, increase in vessel speed and subsequent reductions in exhaust emissions. During sea trials, motion reductions of 30% + in pitch and 50% + in roll were recorded. Passengers enter the vessel through wide entrance doors on the port side amidships, or through gates aft on the port and starboard side. The Fantome Cat can accommodate 308 passengers and of these, 112 are carried on the upper deck which, in additional to a lounge, also offers an external sheltered area seating 61 persons. Here too is an external area for eight luggage bins, ensuring that the cabin areas are kept free of obstructions. Comfortable seating by Evolution, finished in blues, is fitted throughout the open-plan passenger areas, which also feature large windows providing panoramic views and an abundance of natural light.